JOHANNESBURG, Nov 28 (AFP) - The West Indies nosed ahead on the third day of their tense first Test battle against South Africa at the Wanderers Saturday before a thunderstorm soon after lunch washed out the rest of the day's play.

When play was stopped, West Indies were 20 for no wicket in their second innings. South Africa had eked out a seven-run first innings lead during a hard-fought morning session.

Only 26 balls were bowled after lunch before the umpires took the players off because of bad light. Within 10 minutes, heavy rain fell, accompanied by thunder and lightning.

Recalled veteran Pat Symcox and new cap David Terbrugge shared a last-wicket stand of 25 to take South Africa past the tourists' first innings total of 261. The pair defied West Indies fast bowlers Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose, armed with the s econd new ball.

Symcox, 38, refused numerous singles to protect his 21-year-old partner from having to take strike.

Symcox, who made a century against Pakistan on the same ground in February before being dropped from the side, made 25 before run out trying to steal a run off the fifth ball of an over from leg-spinner Rawl Lewis. He was sent back by Terbrugge and could not beat a direct hit by Walsh from mid-wicket.

Earlier, South Africa had lost three wickets for 26 runs after resuming at 217 for six. Mark Boucher top-edged a sweep against Lewis and was caught for 12 by West Indian captain Brian Lara, who ran from slip to take the catch at short fine leg.

Skipper Hansie Cronje was bowled off an inside edge by Ambrose after adding just two runs to his overnight score of 39, while Allan Donald was held by diving wicketkeeper Ridley Jacobs off Ambrose for seven.

Play was called off at 3.35pm with 61.4 overs remaining. An extra hour will be added to play on the remaining two days in an attempt to make up some of the time lost Saturday.
Date-stamped : 28 Nov1998 - 18:49